A Texas man accused of killing his pregnant wife allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled the country, according to his attorney.
Lee Gilley is facing capital murder charges in connection with the 2024 death of Christa Gilley and was expected to go on trial June 5; however, his defense attorney Dick DeGuerin told KHOU that his client cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Canada before catching a flight to Italy.
For More True Crime:
Where Are Samuel Bateman’s Wives Now? Inside the Fight to Free His FLDS Child Brides
Demons, “Cult” Control and a Baby’s Death: Inside the Horrifying Case Against Amish Leader Sam Shetler
Man Allegedly Stabs Ex-Girlfriend’s Sleeping Son in Revenge Attack After Breakup
Once in the Milan airport, Lee requested asylum, telling officials that was he being wrongfully prosecuted in Texas and could face the death penalty. However, as DeGuerin told KPRC 2 News, prosecutors have never stated they intended to seek capital punishment in the case.
“It’s very concerning,” the defense attorney said, “and I’m concerned that the prosecution will try to say that it’s evidence of consciousness of guilt that he’s running from it, but I think he’s just scared.”
Booking photo of Lee Gilley
According to DeGuerin—who did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Oxygen.com—Texas will now have to certify that Lee isn’t facing the death penalty in the case before he could be returned to the United States.
Harris County District Attorney’s Office Director of Court Communications Damali Keith confirmed to Oxygen.com that their office “has been made aware that Lee Gilley has fled the jurisdiction.” Keith declined to comment on prosecutors’ next steps.
A bond condition violation report obtained by Oxygen.com indicated that authorities received notification that Lee’s electronic GPS device had been tampered with at 9:03 p.m. on May 1. An attempt was made to reach Lee, but it was unsuccessful.
RELATED: Inside the Baffling Pizza Bomber Plot: A Frozen Body, Twisted Scavenger Hunt and a Deadly Collar
What Are the Allegations Against Lee Gilley?
The investigation into Christa’s death began after Houston Police were called to the family’s home on Oct. 7, 2024 for a report of a suicide, according to a statement from police.
They arrived to find Christa unresponsive inside the home. Although she was transported to a local hospital for treatment, she later died from her injuries.
Hospital staff noted that the 38-year-old—who had been eight weeks pregnant at the time of her death—had bruising and “apparent trauma to her face,” police said. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences later ruled the death a homicide after determining that she died from compression to her neck.
Lee was arrested “without incident” on Oct. 11, 2024, police said.
Just weeks before he disappeared, prosecutors filed notice April 13 that they planned to offer evidence during Lee’s jury trial indicating that he had published a Reddit post March 18, 2024 saying that he was “bored” with his marriage and was seeking a “college-aged female for a friends-with-benefits arrangement,” according to court records obtained by Oxygen.com.
Prosecutors also alleged that Lee had an affair with a woman in San Diego in 2023 and had been “distant and quiet” at a party just days before his wife’s death.
RELATED: West Virginia Mom Slit 4-Year-Old Daughter’s Throat Out of Jealousy, Prosecutor Says
According to the court documents, Lee resumed communication with the woman in April and May of last year and allegedly told her that he planned to flee to Mexico.
“The defendant stated that he could remove his GPS monitor and provided a detailed plan to do so,” prosecutors wrote. “The Defendant also discussed the possibility of a marriage in order to obtain a new identity.”
